Convertible bingo card holder

ABSTRACT

A collapsible folding rack for displaying a multiplicity of Bingo Cards. This card holder, in the folded configuration, fits into a carrying case which may be placed in a large lady&#39;&#39;s purse. In the extended, assembled configuration as many as eight bingo cards may be displayed for viewing and playing the game.

mted States Patent 1 1 Lowe 1 1 May 14, 1974 [54] CONVERTIBLE BINGO CARD HOLDER 2,832,350 4/1958 Houghton ..40 124.4

3 6 I v m1 1 Lowe, zglwunsmokfi, 3122,3511 611323 532500. fill 1, 322% Lot 18, San Antonio, Tex. 78227 [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 343,245

[52] US. Cl. 40/124 [51] Int. Cl. ..G09f 1/10 [58] Field of Search 40/124, 124.4, 124.2, 1521, 40/155; 273/150 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l 346,691 7/1920 Babcock 40/155 2,150,850 3/1939 Smith 40/1242 X Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Willard .l. Hodles, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A collapsible folding rack for displaying a multiplicity of Bingo Cards. This card holder, in the folded configuration, fits into a carrying case which may be placed in a large ladys purse. 1n the extended, assembled configuration as many as eight bingo cards may be displayed for viewing and playing the game.

6 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a card holder for displaying a multiplicity of bingo cards in a viewing position permitting an experienced player to utilize six to eight cards at one time. The device in some measure resembles a foldable card holder or display rack. A collapsible, foldable, convertible card rack which occupies a minimum space in the carrying package configuration and assembles and extends into a rather large card display rack.

2. Description of Prior Art Playing card holders in a small measure resembling this invention are known to the prior art and have been patented such as U. S. Pat. No. 3,323,801. Display devices for holding cards or training aids have been developed, such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,359,492 and US. Pat. I

No. 2,863,624 as well as convertible easel devices such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,095,834. This related prior art though well suited for their intended uses are not adaptable to the use for which this invention was developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Enthusiasm for the game of Bingo and the desire of a player to simultaneously utilize multiple cards led your inventor to develop this device. One object was to design a device which in the collapsed, folded position occupies a minimum of space permitting placing the holder in a large ladys purse. Another object was to provide a device boldly displaying as many as eight cards for simultaneous play.

In accomplishing the foregoing objects, your inventor developed a bingo card holder constructed of sheetv metal components slidably telescoping with certain components pivotally foldable. The collapsed device occupies a space of little over one inch thick, two inches wide, and fourteen inches long. In the assembled, extended position, the device sitting erect on a table is two feet wide and over one foot tall and receives three or four bingo cards in the bottom card support member and an additional three or four cards, in the center card support member. The cards are received and supported in card slots on the base of the bottom member and, adjacentthe lower edge of the center member displaying the cards on the top portion of the device.

The prototype of the preferred embodiment was constructed of thirty guage galvanized sheet metal bent or formed into the desired configuration. Pop rivets were employed to attach the components at the corner pivot points. Any type of metal may be utilized or the device could be constructed of plastic which may be molded or injection molded.

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the attached drawings wherein identical reference characters will be employed to refer to identical or equivalent components throughout the several views and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the assembled device in the display configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the legs of the device.

FIG. 3 is a back view of one of the legs of the device.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented or disassembled view disclosing the top member.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the top member left upright taken substantially on line 5-5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the top member left taken substantially on line 6-6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the top member right taken substantially on line 77 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a fragmented or disassembled view disclosing the center member.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the center member left taken substantially on line 99 looking in the direction of the arrows. I

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the center member right taken substantially on line 1010 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the center member right taken substantially online 11-11 looking in the direction of the arrows. This view primarily discloses the support clip.

FIG. 12 is a fragmented or disassembled view of the bottom member. Y

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the bottom member left taken substantially on line l3-l3looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the bottom member right taken substantially on line l4l4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the bottom member upright support taken substantially on line I5l5 looking in the direction of the arrows. This view primarily illustrates the position and construction of the bottom member top support stop.

FIG. 16 is a fragmented view of the bottom member lower right pivot viewed from line 16-16 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OFITHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT methods of construction could be employed such as utilization of other metals or wood components or the device might well be constructed of plastic. For a detailed description of the various components, reference is made to the attached Figures. The composite frame 20, in the assembled configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1, is supported by a left leg 21 and a right leg 22. The configuration of legs 21 and 22 is best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. They are constructed with an elongated leg support 23 which is secured to the rear of frame 20 by means of leg clips 24. These legs 21 and 22 were formed from sheet metal using conventional cutting, bending, and forming techniques.

For an illustration of the construction of the top member 26, reference is particularly made to FIGS. 4-7. The device was constructed from folded telescopingly, slidingly engaging components in a configuration resembling a curtain rod. Top member right 27 is formed with slightly lesser dimension and fits in and slidably engages top member left 28. Projecting down from the top member right 27 is top member right support 29 pivotally secured by top member right pivot 30. In a similar fashion, top member left support 32 is secured to top member left 28 by top member left pivot 33. To prevent over-extension or disengagement of the components of top member 26, there is compatibly constructed in top member left 28 and top member right 27 a top member telescoping stop 34 which may comprise projections from the respective members which engage or any suitable rivet like projections which could engage and limit extremes of the telescoping extension. The configuration of folded metal com ponents of top member 26 is perhaps best illustrated in the cross-sectional views FIG. 5, 6 and 7.

For a description of the detailed construction and configuration of center member 36, reference is particularly made to FIGS. 81 1. Previously referred to metal working techniques are employed for constructing this component ofthe device. This center member 36 comprises two telescoping members designated as center member left 37 and center member right 38. The sectional configuration of center member left 37 is illustrated in FIG. 9. The configuration of FIG. 9 is compatible with the insertion of center member right 38 as illustrated in FIG. 10. These respective components slidably engage and are retained in the assembled position by center member telescoping stop 41 compatibly constructed into the members to prevent their inadvertent disassembly. There is constructed at the outer extremity of center member left 37 and right 38 a center member left support clip 39 and a center member right support clip 40. The configuration of these support clips 39 and 40 is illustratedin FIG. 11. Each of the sliding components of center member 36 has constructed in its lower edge a hook-like L shaped element designated as center member card slot 42. The slot 42 is of such configuration and dimensions as to readily receive and support the conventional bingo card (not illustrated).

For a detailed description of bottom member 45 and the elements of this device which would rest on the table or any flat surface when in the assembled configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, reference is made to FIGS. 12-16. Bottom member 45, in a compatible configuration with the components previously described, is constructed from a bottom member left 46 and a bottom member right 47 which are compatibly constructed to slidably engage as illustrated in their cross-sectional configurations, FIGS. 13 and 14. The two components are retained in the assembled position by bottom member telescoping stop 48 which may comprise projections or engaging stops or any type of restriction which would prevent the inadvertent disassembly of the device. At the lower left extremity of bottom member left 46 is pivotally, foldably secured bottom member left upright 49. Bottom member left upright 49 is constructed from foldable sheet metal having crosssectional configuration substantially as illustrated in FIG. 15. The dimensions and configuration are such as to slidably receive top member left support 32 as well as center member left support clip 39. In a similar fashion, pivotally secured to the bottom member right 47 is bottom member right upright 51 which is pivotally and foldably secured by bottom member upright pivot 52. The construction and configuration of this bottom member right upright 51 is illustrated in FIG. 15 and is of such dimensions and configurations as to slidably receive top member right support 29 as well as center member right support clip 40. The depth to which top member left support 32 and top member right support 29 penetrate bottom member left upright 49 and bottom member right upright 51 is determined by the position of bottom member top support stop left 54 and bottom member top support stop right 55. The configuration and dimensions of bottom member left and right uprights 49 and 51 is such as to slidably receive and retain the respective leg clips 24 of the left and right legs 21 and 22 as illustrated in the assembled configuration of FIG. 1.

OPERATION AND ASSEMBLY The device in the assembled configuration is substantially illustrated in FIG. 1. In such a configuration, the bottom member 45 would rest on a table or any flat surface. The top member right and left supports 29 and 32 slidably engage bottom member left and right uprights 49 and 51. Top member supports 29 and 32 contact and rest on the bottom member top support stops 54 and 55. At the upper extremities of bottom member left upright 49 and bottom member right upright 51 is positioned and retained center member 36 by means of slidably engaging of the center member left and right support clips 39 and 40. In this configuration, as many as three or four bingo cards can be placed in the center member card slot 42 and the bottom member card slot 53. Accordingly, a total of six to eight cards may be displayed and played.

In the disassembled configuration of the device, in the foldable, compact position which may be placed in a large ladys purse, first the legs 21 and 22 are detached from the device by withdrawing the leg clips 24. Center member 36 is normally next disassembled by disengaging the support clips 39 and 40. Slight pressure applied at each end of center member 36 will then telescope and contract this member to its minimum length. In the next step of disassembly, the top member 26 and bottom member 45 are detached by withdrawing telescoping engagement of the two components. Pressure at the end of top member 26 and bottom member 45 telescopingly reduce the members to their minimum length. The pivotally secured top member right and left supports 29 and 32 are folded over. In a similar fashion, bottom member left and'right uprights 49 and 51 are folded over. In this disassembled configuration, the var ious components occupy a minimum space and nestle in a small packet.

Having described this device, its construction and detail of a preferred embodiment and suggested alternative methods of construction, what is desired to be claimed is all modifications or adaptations of the device not departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bingo card holder including a composite frame comprising:

a. a top member right telescopingly engaging,

b. a top member left,

c. a top member right support pivotally secured to said top member right by,

d. a top member right pivot,

e. a top member left support pivotally secured to said top member left by,

f. a top member left pivot,

g. a bottom member right telescopingly engaging,

h. a bottom member left,

i. a bottom member right upright pivotally secured to said bottom member right by means of,

j. a bottom member right upright pivot,

k. a bottom member left upright pivotally secured to said bottom member left by means of,

I. a bottom member left upright pivot,

m. a center member left telescopingly engaging,

n. a center member right,

o. a center member support means engaging said bottom member right and left upright and retaining said center member intermediate said top member left and right and said bottom member left and right,

- p. a center member card slot adapted to receive and support a bingo card constructed in said center member,

q. a bottom member card slot adapted to receive and support a bingo card constructed in said bottom member left and said bottom member right, and

. composite frame support means engaging and supporting said top, center and bottom members in substantially an upright position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said center member support means comprises:

frame support means comprises:

a. a right leg diagonally secured to said bottom member right upright by means of, b. a leg clip,

c. a left leg diagonally secured to said bottom member left upright by means of,

6 d. a leg clip.

4. A bingo card holder comprising:

a. a telescopingly extendable top member having a first end and a second end slidably engaging,

b. a telescopingly extendable bottom member having a first end and a second end,

c. a bottom member card slot adapted to receive a bingo card constructed in said bottom member, d. means supporting said top member above said bottom member,

e. a center member having a first end and a second end attached to said support means intermediate said top member and said bottom member,

f. a center member card slot adapted to receive a bingo card constructed in said center member, and

g. leg support means engaging and supporting said top, bottom and center members in a substantially upright position.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said means supporting said top member above said bottom member comprises:

a. a top member right support pivotally secured to the first end of said top member,

b. a top member left support pivotally secured to the second end of said top member,

c. a bottom member right upright pivotally secured to the first end of said bottom member, and

d. a bottom member left upright pivotally secured to the second end of said bottom member.

6. The invention of claim 4 further comprising:

a. a center member left support clip secured to the first end of said center member,

b. a center member right support clip secured to the second end of said center member, and

c. said support clips engaging said means supporting said top member above said bottom member thereby securing said center member to said means. 

1. A bingo card holder including a composite frame comprising: a. a top member right telescopingly engaging, b. a top member left, c. a top member right support pivotally secured to said top member right by, d. a top member right pivot, e. a top member left support pivotally secured to said top member left by, f. a top member left pivot, g. a bottom member right telescopingly engaging, h. a bottom member left, i. a bottom member right upright pivotally secured to said bottom member right by means of, j. a bottom member right upright pivot, k. a bottom member left upright pivotally secured to said bottom member left by means of, l. a bottom member left upright pivot, m. a center member left telescopingly engaging, n. a center member right, o. a center member support means engaging said bottom member right and left upright and retaining said center member intermediate said top member left and right and said bottom member left and right, p. a center member card slot adapted to receive and support a bingo card constructed in said center member, q. a bottom member card slot adapted to receive and support a bingo card constructed in said bottom member left and said bottom member right, and r. composite frame support means engaging and supporting said top, center and bottom members in substantially an upright position.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said center member support means comprises: a. a center member left support clip projecting from said center member left and slidably engaging said bottom member left upright, and b. a center member right support clip projecting from said center member right and slidably engaging said bottom member right upright.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said composite frame support means comprises: a. a right leg diagonally secured to said bottom member right upright by means of, b. a leg clip, c. a left leg diagonally secured to said bottom member left upright by means of, d. a leg clip.
 4. A bingo card holder comprising: a. a telescopingly extendable top member having a first end and a second end slidably engaging, b. a telescopingly extendable bottom member having a first end and a second end, c. a bottom member card slot adapted to receive a bingo card constructed in said bottom member, d. means supporting said top member above said bottom member, e. a center member having a first end and a second end attached to said support means intermediate said top member and said bottom member, f. a center member card slot adapted to receive a bingo card constructed in said center member, and g. leg support means engaging and supporting said top, bottom and center members in a substantially upright position.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said means supporting said top member above said bottom member comprises: a. a top member right support pivotally secured to the first end of said top member, b. a top member left support pivotally secured to the second end of said top member, c. a bottom member right upright pivotally secured to the first end of said bottom member, and d. a bottom member left upright pivotally secured to the second end of said bottom member.
 6. The invention of claim 4 further comprising: a. a center member left support clip secured to the first end of said center member, b. a center member right support clip secured to the second end of said center member, and c. said support clips engaging said means supporting said top member above said bottom member thereby securing said center member to said means. 